Bolland gets his revenge

His big hit on Canucks' Hamhuis leads to the Hawks' 1st goal in Game 6

April 25, 2011|By Brian Hamilton and Chris Kuc, Tribune reporters

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and Vince Vaughn during National Anthem at the United Center. (Scott Strazzante, Chicago Tribune)

When Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis crashed into Dave Bolland in Game 5 Thursday and got his elbow a bit high in the process, it so incensed Bolland — just back from a six-week battle with a concussion — that the Blackhawks center broke a stick over the boards in anger.

So Bolland's first contribution Sunday night was retribution. He crushed Hamhuis in the first period of Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinal series on the forecheck, like a locomotive hitting a lamp post, forcing a turnover that led to Bryan Bickell's goal for the Hawks.

"Yeah, that was a big hit," Bolland said. "That's a clean hit, too, right? So it was satisfying. It led to a big goal as well."

With a goal and an assist Sunday, Bolland has six points in his last three games. In 15 playoff games in his career against the Canucks, he has eight goals and nine assists. Add to those gaudy numbers a six-game postseason points streak dating back to Game 4 of the 2010 Stanley Cup finals against the Flyers.

"It's not just me," Bolland said. "Everybody's going together, everybody's blocking shots and doing the little things to get by."

Lucky 7:Brent Seabrook may not have been on the ice for the Hawks during Games 4 and 5, but that doesn't mean the defenseman didn't make his presence felt.

Seabrook, who returned to the Hawks' lineup for Game 6 after suffering a concussion during Game 3 from a hit from Raffi Torres, spent part of his idle time urging teammates to rally in the series.

"He just wanted another chance to play," fellow blueliner Chris Campoli said. "We wanted to give it to him. We had to find a way to stay alive in the series and it's not easy playing without one of your best players. He was open about getting another chance."

One-timers: The Hawks haven't played in a Game 7 of a postseason series since May 19, 1995, when they defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2 in the conference quarterfinals. … The Hawks had 31 blocked shots in Game 6 while the Canucks had 12.